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On the Road - The Life of a Hobo

  • 11-05-2013 02:45PM
    #1
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 13,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

    No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

    OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

    So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    I've always envied this guy's lifestyle




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    Yes, but not here in Ireland. The weather is shit and we can't do wicked awesome stuff like live on a transcontinental freight train for a month. I'd move to the U.S just to be a hobo.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 341 ✭✭Hownowcow


    I often thought that it might be fun to fight orcs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,987 ✭✭✭Legs.Eleven


    Yes. I've though about it many times. The idea really appeals but perhaps it's been romanticised in novels and films too much. Where could you realistically do it? Would you stay in Ireland? Go around Europe? You'd need more than just English to get a job. Maybe you could do it in the States. I have to say, the idea sounds ideal to me. I've moved around so much that I usually get bored of a place after a while and have the need to move on.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,987 ✭✭✭Legs.Eleven


    I've always envied this guy's lifestyle



    But you'd have the limited brain of a dog. You'd have a hard time picking up chicks. I suppose you could have sex with other sexy dogs.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 349 ✭✭Schnitzel Muncher


    The homeless don't know how good they have it, eh OP?

    I regularly think I have heard it all, but am always proved wrong. Thanks for the laugh anyway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 349 ✭✭Schnitzel Muncher


    But you'd have the limited brain of a dog. You'd have a hard time picking up chicks. I suppose you could have sex with other sexy dogs.

    There are online forums for that sort of thing, a couple of recent cases in Ireland spring to mind.

    So as long as he can type he's well in there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    But you'd have the limited brain of a dog. You'd have a hard time picking up chicks. I suppose you could have sex with other sexy dogs.
    Exactly, I'd be a lot better off than I am now.:pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,004 ✭✭✭coolemon


    The Irish version of a hobo is called a Rapparee. Hobo's with fighting spirit.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Uj_Nf5tOg

    Iv lived what could be called a semi-hobo lifestyle for about 1 1/2 months while cyclotouring. Sleeping rough, not having a place to shower, washing in rivers/the sea. "taking off into the sun" each day.

    Then again I had money for food, but probably close enough in many ways.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,752 ✭✭✭Odysseus


    Have a chat with any of the homeless guys in any of our cities, you might find out your idea is not as sound as you first thought. I don't know where would be a good place to be homeless, but from working with homeless people here, I would not like to try the Irish experience.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,023 ✭✭✭Fukuyama


    OP I think Kerouac glorified his experiences a little.

    The moving coming out soon won't do any favours...

    Anyways - it's not the depression anymore. You cant just jump onto trains etc... Even to book tickets you'll need technology.

    Doesn't stop you from selling all your stuff and doing it though.

    Read the Man v Debt blog.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,494 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    There was a post on Reddit a few days ago with great pics of railroad hobos. I don't think I'd be cut out for it myself

    http://www.mbart.com/exhibitions/_101/_img/

    ^^Some pics NSFW


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 13,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid


    I think the definition of what a hobo actually is nears to be made here - hobos travel to do a variety of casual/menial jobs. A hobo will always try to find work if they need money - begging is seen as an absolute last resort. That distinguishes them from tramps who travel but are work shy and bums who are homeless but don't travel and suffer addiction problems - both of whom beg.

    Hobos also try to arrange some form of rudimentary lodging or accommodation if they are in position to afford it - a hostel for instance. Hobos only sleep rough when there is no alternative.

    Hobos also have a code of ethics and conduct - for instance try to wash as often as possible, be polite and only steal food when absolutely necessary as a last resort. You might also be surprised to find that hobos have developed a code of symbols to guide and help fellow hobos.

    In Britt, Iowa there is an Annual Hobo Convention held every year. Hobo numbers peaked with the Great Depression in the 1930s but today there are still tens of thousands of self-declared hobos.

    The key philosophy of hobo life is self-reliance and complete independence and not hanging around in one place because they're "onto a good thing."

    Blues is believed to have originated among Black hobos of the late 19th century - many of whom were freed slaves. Hobos also had a big input into folk and country music.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,004 ✭✭✭coolemon


    Are bindles fictional or are they actually used?

    It seems like an efficient way of transporting items while walking. Carrying something by ones side would cause arm strain over a prolonged period of time. A backpack/bag might cause sweat irritation on the back.

    Resting the weight using a stick on on shoulder, and occasionally changing shoulder, seems like an interesting solution. Its a wonder its not more widespread...

    I can envisage it: Lidl Bindle with soft cusion grip and waterproof fabric - E3.99


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,972 ✭✭✭orestes


    The homeless don't know how good they have it, eh OP?

    I regularly think I have heard it all, but am always proved wrong. Thanks for the laugh anyway.

    Some people do choose to be homeless because they like the freedom that comes with it. Some people just like the idea of living free and not being tied down, it's not that different to moving from city to city and living in squats and there are sh!t loads of people who do that.

    I've been broke and homeless in a different country before, wouldn't fancy doing it again, but I can definitely see why some people would see the appeal in it as a lifestyle. Squatting can be fukking awesome though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,105 ✭✭✭beano345


    lived in a car for a month....then it was stolen on me....fun times:pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,097 ✭✭✭Herb Powell


    Ireland is probably too small tbh. And I think people are really suspicious of strangers now. Definitely wouldn't be easy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,351 ✭✭✭NegativeCreep


    As if boardsies could live without internet for even an hour!

    No, I couldn't think of anything worse than being homeless :L


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 13,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 546 ✭✭✭stretchdoe




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Mardy Bum


    There was a post on Reddit a few days ago with great pics of railroad hobos. I don't think I'd be cut out for it myself

    http://www.mbart.com/exhibitions/_101/_img/

    ^^Some pics NSFW

    Horribly depressing lifestyle and I feel sorry for the kids getting dragged round by parents who seem to have taken On the Road too seriously.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 13,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid


    Not all humans want to settle - some people are naturally wanderers and drifters. I do think that when it comes to children they need stability and routine and you don't get that with a hobo/nomadic life.

    But the appeal of hitting the road is very strong among many people.

    Billy Joel - You're My Home (1973)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Mardy Bum


    JupiterKid wrote: »
    Not all humans want to settle - some people are naturally wanderers and drifters. I do think that when it comes to children they need stability and routine and you don't get that with a hobo/nomadic life.

    But the appeal of hitting the road is very strong among many people.

    Billy Joel - You're My Home (1973)

    Yes of course and its called travelling/ emigration. Millions of people do it However this Chris Candlemess idea of travellng around with just the clothes on your back and a pen knife is stupid. Learn a few skills and then travel the world.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,433 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    JupiterKid wrote: »
    Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

    No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

    OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

    So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?

    Really? You think it'd be fun being homeless? Ever read Down and Out in Paris and London? It'd soon wash those romantic notions about tramping out of your tiny brain.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 13,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid


    Really? You think it'd be fun being homeless? Ever read Down and Out in Paris and London? It'd soon wash those romantic notions about tramping out of your tiny brain.


    I have indeed read it - I have read of most of Orwell's published work.

    Less of the personal insults about my "tiny" brain - I hold a First class Masters degree BTW. Nothing wrong with me starting a thread on the topic and culture of hobos - last I checked it is a free country.:rolleyes:

    This is what pisses me off most about AH - the negativity, begrudgery and the need to get personally insulting.:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,038 ✭✭✭✭SEPT 23 1989




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,335 ✭✭✭wendell borton


    The story of Chris mccandles who gave all his money to oxfam and lived as a hobo, while inspiring in some respects, doesn't end well.

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 240 ✭✭The Barefoot Pizza Thief




  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,162 ✭✭✭Augmerson


    Anyone mentioned Fortycoats yet?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 219 ✭✭scoey


    JupiterKid wrote: »
    Given the state of the economy and people's finances in general, have any boardsies given the notion of just saying "f it!" packing settled life in and taking off into the sunset like a true Hobo, bindle on your shoulder, traveling from town to town, city to city, village to village doing odd jobs for room and board (and food!) and being carefree?

    No duties, no responsibilities, no ties. Just yourself to rely on and answer to. Sleeping under the stars, washing in a stream...playing the blues on your harmonica as you stow away on a rail cargo carriage?

    OK so life as a Hobo wouldn't be all carefree and romantic - cold and wet nights, going hungry from time to time, loneliness and solitude but I bet it would still appeal to many.

    So anyone here thinking of upping sticks and living the life of a hobo?

    No.


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